Reagan ‘Ready’ to Talk to Iran About U.S. Hostages : He Declares ‘It’s Time’; but No Deals

President Reagan said today that he’s ready to talk to Iran about American hostages held by pro-Iranian extremists in Lebanon “if they’re ready.”

At the conclusion of a White House Rose Garden ceremony honoring young men selected by the American Legion to study politics and government, Reagan was asked: “Are you ready to talk to Iran about the hostages? Is it time?”

“If they’re willing and ready to talk, it’s time,” he said.

White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater today said that in the wake of Iran’s acceptance of a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire in the protracted Iran-Iraq War, American officials have been hopeful that a dialogue could be established with the government of revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

An Administration official said earlier today that despite a new U.S. message last week, Iran has still has not sent an “authorized” reply to American entreaties about talks on normalizing relations after an eight-year lapse.

The message reiterated U.S. desires to discuss ties with Tehran and did not lay down conditions for a resumption of relations, broken in April, 1980, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

U.S. Imposes No Conditions

He said the United States would like to talk to the Iranians about ending the Iran-Iraq War, the nine Americans held hostage in Lebanon and terrorism.

He said, however, that the United States has not imposed conditions for talks.

In any event, the official said, Tehran has not proposed an “authorized representative” to respond to the U.S. overtures.

On Sunday, Defense Secretary Frank C. Carlucci said improved U.S.-Iranian relations could lead to the release of the nine Americans held in Lebanon, including the AP’s Middle East correspondent, Terry Anderson, who has been held since March 16, 1985, longer than any other American.

“We have consistently said that we’re prepared to enter into a dialogue with Iran,” Carlucci said. “All they have to do is designate somebody who is officially empowered to talk to us, and we’d be glad to talk with them about policy issues, about terrorism, about bringing peace to the region, about whatever is appropriate.”

But Carlucci said no deals will be made for the release of the hostages.

‘We Won’t Pay Ransom’

Fitzwater took the same stand in answering reporters’ questions today.

“Our position remains the same, that we’re always available to talk any time any place about the safety or the release of the hostages but we will not negotiate for them and we don’t anticipate any negotiations,” he said.

“We won’t negotiate. We won’t pay ransom. We won’t talk quid pro quos. We won’t give or take,” he said. “The answer to release of the hostages is to release them. . . . It’s not a complex matter. . . . They took them off the streets. They can put them back on the streets.”

Arms-Hostage Link Found

Reagan has persistently denied that his approval of the clandestine sales of U.S. arms to Iran in 1985 and 1986 amounted to an arms-for-hostages deal. But a presidential commission headed by former Sen. John Tower (R-Tex) concluded that there was such a linkage, and so did Congress.

Two hostages, the Rev. Benjamin Weir and David Jacobsen, were released during the time of the transfers of U.S. arms to Iran, which led to the subsequent diversion of sales proceeds to Nicaraguan rebels and--eventually--the Reagan Administration’s worst scandal.

U.N. Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar said today that he hopes to begin separate talks with Iran and Iraq on Wednesday aimed at achieving a cease-fire.